c Aerial tankers were needed to refuel the B-52 bombers that would fly "doomsday"
missions.
d The first aerial tankers were based on the Boeing B-29, a four-engine propeller
driven bomber. Unfortunately, the B-29 could not keep pace with the modem-day jets it was supposed to refuel.
Two Methods of refueling were developed for use in aerial tankers:
Probe and Drogue Method uses an extendible hose line and basket to refuel
aircraft. The aerial tanker extends the basket behind and the refueling aircraft must maneuver to insert the
refueling probe into the basket. This method is preferred by the U.S. Navy and a number of NATO countries.
Rigid Boom Method uses a boom equipped with fins to maneuver the boom. The
aerial tanker lowers the boom, the refueling aircraft positions itself behind and below the tanker, and the boom
operator maneuvers the boom to insert it into the aircraft's refueling receptacle. This is the method preferred by
the U.S. Air Force.
e S-3 Aircraft. This aircraft is a carrier-based anti-submarine attack plane. It has a
range of 400 miles and can stay on station for up to 4 hours at a time. The S-3 uses five 400-gallon drop tanks to
store fuel and has a probe and drogue assembly to refuel aircraft.
4 Expeditionary Logistics Support Force Equipment. The ELSF equipment will be used by
the ELSF to establish land-based refueling capabilities for the Navy in undeveloped theaters. Support will be for
both ground equipment and rotary and fixed wing aircraft. With the exception of the first trailer described under
the High-Speed Aircraft Refueling System, none of this equipment has yet been procured for these units.
a High-Speed Aircraft Refueling System. This consists of a two-trailer system. The
first trailer contains a 300-gallon per minute pump; a 300-gallon per minute filter/separator; a fuel relaxation
chamber; and hose reel system. The second trailer (not yet designed or procured) will contain four 10,000-gallon
collapsible tanks (empty); extra hoses; and a fuel testing kit. This system is designed to refuel aircraft only.
b Bulk Fuel Storage System.
This is a single-product storage and issue system,
revolving around four 50,000-gallon collapsible tanks.
c Fuel Service Station. This consists of a single 10,000-gallon collapsible tank plus
pump and filter/separator. Its mission is to provide fuel support for Ground Support Equipment (for example,
forklift trucks, bulldozers).
d Aviation Fuel Servicing Truck. This is a 5,000-gallon truck designed to provide
alongside aircraft refueling, similar to commercial airport refueling trucks.
e Ground Support Equipment/Motor Pool Servicing Truck. This is a 1,200-gallon
tanker truck designed to provide mobile fuel support to both ground support equipment and motor pool vehicles.
18-13
QM5200
Previous Page
